FAQs
Accident Investigation
The accident investigation simulation includes an accident that runs in the event simulator that we have been working on with Citrus Virtual. More information can be found here.
1. What technology does this simulation use?
It uses an 'Simulator Engine' that has been set up in a visual 3D virtual world called Second Life. Second Life is free and can be acessed online and created by its Residents. (www.secondlife.com)
2. What are the minimum specifications required to run Second Life?
The minimum computer specifications can be found at the Second Life support site.
3. What are the basic second life controls?
This question, along with other basic questions regarding the use of Second Life can be found on the Second Life Wiki Page:
Controls: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Category:LSL_Controls
Home: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Main_page
4. Who created the E-Learnng environment and simulation engine?
The E-Learning Development Unit is an academic unit. The website offers help and support to all members of UWE staff in designing, developing, and running courses that use online technologies or electronic media. They are written and updated by members of the E-Learning Development Unit, who work closely with the Academic Technologies Group in IT Services.
The E-Learning team developed the E-Learning island, and the simulation environment in partnership with Citurs Virtual.
Citrus Virtual Limited is a content design and creation consultancy for the Second Life and Openlife virtual worlds.
Specialising in architecturally designed, unique virtual spaces, educational systems and environments, it seeks to provide clients with memorable and interactive virtual spaces.
5. What is the E-Learning island?
The 'Elearning at UWE' island has been built in Second Life - a lovely job by Citrus Virtual, with lots of education goodies like virtual whiteboards, discussion group controls, URL and slide show displays, email stations etc etc. Here’s a couple of views of the presentation amphitheatre, breakout pods and exhibition hall, and a view of the central landing hub.
Here is a plan of the island. The RO will be at the top right of the island, as viewed in the picture here.
A larger image of the plan is also available.
Access to our Second Life island
If you have an account in Second Life, our island SLURL is:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Elearning%20at%20UWE/110/128/35
If you do not have a Second Life account, it is easy to sign up through the Serious Games Institute website.
For more information: please see our introduction to Second Life
6. What is the purpose of the simulation engine?
The idea is to enable students to witness different kinds of events and to interact with them through their avatars.
The first scenerio will take place in a warehouse in the light industrial set CV have built for us on the island.
7. How do I access the E-Learning environment once in Second Life?
The best way to learn how to find and utilise the E-Learning environment is to watch our turorial video, which can be found on the tutorials section of our website.
Links
TECHNOLOGIES USED
Guidance
Here are guides to some of the technologies used in the simulations:
The Virtual Law Office
SIMITA is not a new system system, but a conceptual deployment of existing learning technologies
- Blackboard (virtual learning environment)
- Microsoft SharePoint (content and communication management platform)
- Wimba Collaboration Suite (collaborative multimedia tools)
Accident Investigation
The Accident Investigation takes place in Second Life. Anyone with an internet connection, who's computer meets certain requirements, can sign up for a free account.
- Second Life (3D virtual world)
Other technologies that can be used in simulations
- >>Social networking profile sites
inc Facebook, Newlog, MySpace - >>Blogs
inc Wordpress, blogger, My blog-log, Technorati - >>Micro blogs
inc Twitter, Jaiku, Tumblr, Posterous, Pownce - >>Wikis
inc Wikis (PB, wetpaint), wikipedia, ning - >>Virtual worlds
and Simulations
inc Second Life, Active Worlds, and Kaneva
inc Gaming (e.g. World of Warcraft) - >>Videos
inc YouTube, Vimeo, Hulu





